1 Peter 1:25; “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

The other day, Melissa noted in an article how the Church said the Book of Mormon was meant for people living now. This reminded me of a few comments made by past LDS leaders who didn’t give the Bible the same credit, so we have a few questions in light of their warnings!

Take a quick look at what Joe Smith and Orson Hyde said about God’s word –

14As for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

As we reflect on these words of our Lord today through the sainted apostle, I would like to read some words from a document entitled, “Brief Statement of the Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod.” This document, written and adopted by the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in the year 1932, might seem a bit dated, and perhaps not well known, but succinctly states what we…

The other day I came upon an article on ldsliving.org titled “How the Gospel Is Like a Real-Life Fairy Tale”. It’s funny they think of the Mormon gospel as a fairytale, I always thought of it as science fiction drama. I can see the introduction going something like “In a galaxy far, far away on a planet next to the star Kolob…………” (Book of Abraham 3:2-3)

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who … in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:4-5, 8

Milliken University is a fine private school in Central Illinois.

At their football game on September 24th, some of the members of the team decided to “take a knee” rather than stand for the national anthem. In doing so, they followed NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick who, in his protest against racial injustice, has also not shown respect for the anthem.

The reaction of the local community was one of outrage.

In response the Milliken football team decided on another course of action: they would remain in the locker room until after the anthem had been played, and then they would all spend a moment in personal reflection on those who had made sacrifices for the country and how they can live up to the idea of “liberty and justice for all.”

And that’s what they did… except for Connor Brewer, a defensive lineman.

The picture of Brewer, standing alone on that football field while the anthem was being played, was picked up by the news media. Some said he was a hero, while others complained he had betrayed the solidarity of his team. Brewer, himself, out of respect for his coach and fellow players, declined to be interviewed.

So there you have it: Americans making use of their freedom of speech to convey a message.

No one can doubt they are acting according to conscience, nor dare we think those protesters have proceeded without first having searched their hearts. Still, the responses to what they have done have not been especially positive.

That is because most have forgotten you do not right a wrong by doing another wrong. You cannot help someone you feel has been mistreated by mistreating the values of someone else. In this case, discussion has revolved more around the protest than the cause which motivated it.

St. Paul makes the point better than I ever could when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:23: “‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things build up.”

Now I don’t expect the world will pay much attention to the inspired words of the apostle. People outside the Christian community will continue to indiscriminately use their “rights” to correct all manner of real and imagined wrongs.

But we believers should be different. Following the Savior’s example we should, in humility, look to the interests of others. Following Jesus, we should bring about positive changes, by reaching out to others and encouraging them to be better than the world.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks for the Savior who gave up heaven and humbled Himself so that all who believe on Him might be forgiven, saved and be changed for the better. May my Christian life be conducted in a way that will strengthen others rather than tearing them down. In the Savior’s Name I pray it. Amen.

Psalm 146

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lordthan to trust in man.9 It is better to take refuge in the Lordthan to trust in princes. Psalm 118:8-10 (ESV)

Praise the Lord!Praise the Lord, O my soul!2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live;I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

3 Put not your trust in princes,in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. (ESV)

Daniel 5

21 (Daniel is speaking to King Beltshazzar about his father King Nebuchadnezzar) He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew…

2 Chronicles 32 is part of the narrative of the Assyrian armies attacking Israel. King Hezekiah was one of few good Kings of Israel who destroyed idolatry and lived by God’s Word. Sennacherib was the Assyrian king and in the media of their day: he wrote letters (vs. 17) “to cast contempt on the LORD…” and he even had his soldiers shout their contempt on the LORD, “…with a loud voice in the language of Judah”(verse 18). Again, Sennacherib used the media well. His argument was simple: all the other gods were ineffectual in saving them so what will be different about Israel’s God? He will also be ineffectual to save.

We are living in a Sennacherib world in which daily, hourly and minute by minute on TV, the internet, blogs, radio, printed world with a loud voice saying your God won’t save you. The Assyrian King tried to demoralize Israel. The Sennacherib world does the same. Hezekiah encouraged Israel. What did Israel do? “Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven.” (vs. 20). Can we do less when so surrounded as was Israel by the mocks, taunts and lies of our Sennacheribs? The LORD delivered Israel then. He is strong to deliver His saints in His Church. The LORD will deliver.

“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13, NKJ)

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

How easy it is to be distracted from the things of God to the things of men, to neglect the One thing needful, and to take for granted God’s grace and favor!

St. Paul, writing to Timothy, writes the words above (2 Timothy 1:13), because, as he indicates in v15, “all those in Asia have turned away from me.” In other words, “those in Asia” ceased listening to Paul and stopped following the words that Paul preached.

Though many do the same thing concerning the very Word of our Lord, and though many view such diversion from the truth as of little significance, for the Christian, the Word of God has more than importance. The Word of God is life (John 6:63, 68; 2 Timothy 3:15-17), and directs towards Christ Jesus. The Law shows us our sin. The Gospel shows us our Savior, Jesus Christ. Only Christ saves from sin and hell. The believer believes this, and desires, seeks, and strives to remain in this faith.

The text from this past Sunday speaks about the challenges of being a disciple of Jesus (Luke 14:25-35). “Holding fast” is such a challenge, for we, of ourselves, are not strong enough to do so. We are sinners. But “holding fast the pattern of sound words” is continuing to believe in the Jesus who saves and not in our strength that falters.

God gives strength to remain “in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” by means of His Word and Sacraments. God has not forsaken you. Rather, He continues to call you, preaching His Word of forgiveness and salvation through the death of His Son. So hear, and hold fast to, Christ, who holds you even more strongly (Philippians 3:12).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, direct us ever to Your Holy Word which gives life, that we live and not doubt, nor reject Your forgiveness and mercy won for us on the cross. Keep us fast to you, that we live confidently in and by Your grace alone. Amen.

“For Luther, a proper distinction between Law and Gospel opened the door to a right understanding of God’s Word and, therefore, a right understanding of God’s will for humankind and our salvation. Throughout its history, the Lutheran Church has continued to maintain that rightly distinguishing between Law and Gospel is absolutely necessary in this regard. The Law shows us God’s will and reveals our sin; the Gospel proclaims our salvation in Christ. To confuse these two doctrines is to remain confused about ourselves and about our God. To misunderstand them is to misunderstand the reason for the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Christ. In short, Law and Gospel are the means by which we can rightly understand the whole of the Christian faith.” [Edward Engelbrecht (ed.), The Lutheran Difference (St. Louis: CPH, 2010), p40-41)]

REBLOGGED FROM The Lutheran Hour with permission
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hou
“The Plague of Sin”
September 6, 2016
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. Romans 5:12
You’re going to have to stay with me on this one. It’s a bit complicated.

This past month a video came out of Siberia which showed scientists dressed in HAZMAT suits incinerating an animal carcass. They were getting rid of a long-dead reindeer carcass, which had been frozen in permafrost. Recently, that permafrost melted and the reindeer carcass began releasing anthrax bacteria.

That got the scientists to thinking. Could that kind of thing happen elsewhere?

In this case, the “elsewhere” was a Siberian village where 40 percent of the town died in the 1890s. The cause of death was smallpox. The villagers who died were buried in the upper permafrost layer on the bank of the Kolyma River.

And wouldn’t you know … the Kolyma River is flooding and eroding the river banks.

The bottom line is this: those frozen bodies probably have done a great job of preserving that virus. If the corpses thaw and float away, there’s no telling the global damage that might be caused by this virus which we thought had been eradicated.

In short, it could be a very bad thing.

Now I tell you that story not to frighten you — nor was it to urge you to go to your local pharmacy and ask for a smallpox shot. Drug stores don’t stock the stuff, and they can’t get the stuff. In case there ever would be an outbreak the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say they have enough of the remedy to inoculate all those who need it.

No, the purpose of the tale is to remind everyone that the world is an evil, sinful place. As Paul explained in the text above, the sin of Adam and Eve has permeated this world and condemned all of us. Now the world may think it can fix itself, but it can’t. Sure, we can try to stifle our sins and make the world a better place, but it doesn’t work.

Sin — like the anthrax which is coming from that long-dead reindeer — will keep coming back.

Truly, if we are to be saved, it will not be because we eradicate sin. It will happen only when we confess our sins and fall on the mercy of the Lord. When the Holy Spirit calls us to faith, sin can no longer destroy us.

As St. Paul wrote, “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11b). Because of the Savior we can rejoice. Death and grave have lost their sting and victory.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, “Jesus sinners doth receive; oh, may all this saying ponder, who in sin’s delusions live, and from God and heaven wander! Here is hope for all who grieve — Jesus sinners doth receive. We deserve but grief and shame, yet His words, rich grace revealing, pardon, peace, and life proclaim. Here their ills have perfect healing, who with humble hearts believe — Jesus sinners doth receive” (The Lutheran Hymnal, “Jesus Sinners Doth Receive,” verses 1 and 2). This we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,